Reviving HP has IBM in its sights

Hewlett Packard is continuing its climb back from the doldrums of a couple of years ago and now may be about to overtake IBM as the world's biggest computer company. HP's net revenues for the third quarter of its financial year were $21.9 billion, it has revealed, representing growth of 5 per cent over the equivalent quarter this year. ...more

Steve Jobs unlikely to face charges over stock option backdating

The likelihood of Steve Jobs finding himself in the dock over stock options backdating looks slim, after an investigation by the San Jose Mercury News. 'Despite Apple's disclosure that Jobs approved widespread backdating at Apple, there is no evidence he directed the backdating of his own grant or covered it up afterward,' said the paper. The paper says that such close examination reveals not malice, but 'a good-faith, although clumsy, attempt by Apple's board of directors to reward its star chief executive for resurrecting a moribund company. ...more

Mozilla updates Firefox and Camino

Mozilla has released updates for its two Web browser applications, the cross-platform Firefox and the Mac-only Camino. Firefox 1.5. ...more

Nokia announces new wireless tech

Nokia has unveiled a new short-range wireless technology designed to extend Bluetooth-style connectivity to small devices such as watches, wireless keyboards, toys and sports sensors. Developed by Nokia Research Center, Wibree is optimised for devices requiring extremely low power consumption, small size and low cost, where Bluetooth may not be feasible. The technology boasts Bluetooth performance levels and can be implemented either as standalone chip - in the very smallest devices - or as Bluetooth-Wibree dual-mode chip. ...more

BPI rebuffs Stelios

'Just because stealing is easy, doesn't make it right' In response to a letter from easyGroup chairman and cuddly business tycoon Stelios claiming Internet music piracy to be the result of the music industry overcharging customers, BPI chairman Peter Jamieson has responded in a letter to the FT, putting the shoe on the other foot. The letter to the editor reads: 'If I were to find a way to get into the easyJet booking system and steal myself free airline flights to Luton, Liverpool and Majorca, I'm sure Stelios Haji-Ioannou would be the first to cry foul. If I were to find a way to do so, which he was powerless to counteract, he would be even more aggrieved. ...more